The impact of employee empowerment on organisational performance: The mediating role of employee engagement and organisational citizenship behaviour

Purpose: This study assesses the mediating role of employee engagement and organisational citizenship behaviour in the relationship between employee empowerment (structural, psychological) and organisational performance in non-commercial banks in Ghana.Design/methodology: A structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the proposed hypothesis based on 304 employees selected from eight non-commercial banks in the Bono Region, Ghana.Findings: Neither structural nor psychological empowerment are a direct contributor to organisational performance but they positively influence organisational citizenship behaviour and employee engagement. Employee engagement and organisational citizenship behaviour show no effect on organisational performance. Organisational citizenship behaviour was also found to be a significant mediator in the relationship between employee empowerment (structural and psychological) and organisational performance but employee engagement is not a significant mediator.Practical implications: The study offers managers information to help deal with absenteeism, increase employee psychological health, promote better home life, improve employee retention and increase job satisfaction. Practitioners are offered insights to help involve their employees in decision-making and offer them the freedom to act on their own. Finally, practically, the results reveal the need to retain employees who have organisational citizenship behaviour to improve performance.Originality/value: The study serves two purposes: as a confirmatory and as a hypothesised model. The confirmatory model entails goodness of fit and chi-square test. The hypothesised model relies on examining the interactions among structural and psychological empowerment, organisational citizenship behaviour, employee engagement and organisational performance in a developing econom

ABP en Iniciación a la Actividad Económica y Empresarial

This paper studies the importance of financial education on students of the ESO, applying a cooperative methodology in the learning of basic economic concepts and in the acquisition of the basic competencies of learning to learn, business initiative and civic and social concepts. The concern over a lack of knowledge in financial education is supported by studies made on a recurrent basis on the financial and economic competencies of our students. While it is true that there is concern with the standard of the educational curriculum, we observe that there is a lack of drive to finish consolidating the topics of this subject as vital aspects of education. On the other hand, the crisis in traditional teaching models and changes in educational law end up resulting in greater difficulties in the teaching-learning process in many fields including economics. The problems of traditional models in terms of the learning process, the lack of motivation in students, the requirement to adapt to the needs of each student and the tendency to use ICT at the educational level requires that teachers seek alternatives in order to enhance the learning process. There are studies and evidence available which demonstrate the positive influence of cooperative learning methods in different educational environments. The need to adapt to heterogeneous groups with different needs and motivations, encourages students' creativity, improves financial and economic knowledge and justifies the interest and the main objective of the intervention proposal. For this reason the subject " Introduction to Entrepreneurial Activity and Business" of 4rto of the ESO.El presente trabajo estudia la importancia de la educación financiera sobre alumnos de la ESO aplicando una metodología cooperativa en el aprendizaje de nociones económicas básicas y en la adquisición de las competencias básicas de aprender a aprender, iniciativa empresarial y social cívica y ciudadana. La preocupación por falta de conocimientos en educación financiera viene respaldada por los estudios que se realizan de manera recurrente sobre las competencias financieras y económicas de nuestros alumnos. Si bien es cierto que existe esta gran preocupación, a nivel de currículo educativo observamos que falta un empujón para acabar de consolidar las asignaturas de esta materia como asignaturas vitales en la enseñanza. Por otro lado, la crisis de los modelos tradicionales de enseñanza y los cambios de leyes educativas acaban provocando que exista mayor dificultad en el proceso enseñanza aprendizaje en cualquier ámbito pero también en el económico. La crisis de los modelos tradicionales en cuanto al proceso de aprendizaje, la falta de motivación de los alumnos, la exigencia a adaptarnos a las necesidades de cada alumno y la tendencia a utilizar las TIC a nivel educativo exige que los docentes deban buscar alternativas para mejorar el aprendizaje. Hay estudios y evidencias que demuestran la influencia positiva que tienen los métodos de aprendizaje cooperativo en los diferentes ámbitos educativos. La necesidad de adaptarnos a grupos heterogéneos con diferentes necesidades y motivaciones, fomentar la creatividad de los alumnos, mejorar los conocimientos económicos financieros, justifica el interés y el objetivo principal de la propuesta de intervención, por este motivo se tomará como base la asignatura de “Iniciación a la Actividad Emprendedora y Empresarial” de 4rto de la ESO

Challenging students to develop work-based skills: A PBL experience

[ES] In today’s changing world the skills and habilities required for getting a job are rapidly changing. New trends such as globalization, data science, artificial intelligence and the never ending expansion of information and technology communications are changing the demands of the labour market. Accordingly, new skills are needed in order to succeed and get a job. As noted by the OECD, educators’ challenge lies in helping students develop their unique capacity to create, innovate and add value, skills that distinguish humans from machines. With this aim in mind, this study reports the results of a challenge-based activity (based on project-based learning) targeted to undergraduate students in Business Administration. The results reveal a positive impact of the methodologies on students’ learning process, their satisfaction and a positive improvement on a series of skills, namely teamwork, writting and oral skills, digital skills, capacity to identify and solve problems, capacity to work autonomously, analytical capacity and capacity to think criticallyManresa Matas, A.; Berbegal-Mirabent, J.; Gil-Domenech, D. (2020). Challenging students to develop work-based skills: A PBL experience. En 6th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'20). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. (30-05-2020):561-568. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAd20.2020.11108OCS56156830-05-202

What do freshmen know about sustainability? Analysing the skill gap among University Business Administration students

This study aims at creating and validating an instrument to assess the level of mastery in sustainability competencies of freshmen students in business-related studies. To reach this goal, a questionnaire that captures the level of acquisition of the competencies in sustainability is provided. A three-step process has been followed to analyse the results gathered among first-year students in two Spanish universities. First, eight confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to verify the grouping of the dimensions included in the questionnaire, resulting in 10 competency units in sustainability (CU). Next, we averaged the values of the items included in each CU to facilitate interpretation and then calculated the skill gap; that is, the difference between the level that CU students are expected to achieve on graduation compared to the current level. Third, a series of ANOVA tests were run to investigate potential differences in the level of acquisition due to gender, prior training and educational background, which according to the literature might influence current student knowledge of sustainability. Our results reveal that freshmen enter university with a heterogeneous level of development, both in terms of breadth (different CUs) and depth (the extent to which each CU is developed). The original value of this work stems from the creation of an instrument which is expected to be applicable in a variety of contexts. Additionally, the information it provides assists us in the identification of the CUs that should be further emphasized at university level, and therefore helps professors to prioritise those teaching strategies targeted at overcoming this deficit.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

RhoA Drives T-Cell Activation and Encephalitogenic Potential in an Animal Model of Multiple Sclerosis

T-cells are known to be intimately involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). T-cell activation is controlled by a range of intracellular signaling pathways regulating cellular responses such as proliferation, cytokine production, integrin expression, and migration. These processes are crucial for the T-cells’ ability to mediate inflammatory processes in autoimmune diseases such as MS. RhoA is a ubiquitously expressed small GTPase well described as a regulator of the actin cytoskeleton. It is essential for embryonic development and together with other Rho GTPases controls various cellular processes such as cell development, shaping, proliferation, and locomotion. However, the specific contribution of RhoA to these processes in T-cells in general, and in autoreactive T-cells in particular, has not been fully characterized. Using mice with a T-cell specific deletion of the RhoA gene (RhoAfl/flLckCre+), we investigated the role of RhoA in T-cell development, functionality, and encephalitogenic potential in EAE. We show that lack of RhoA specifically in T-cells results in reduced numbers of mature T-cells in thymus and spleen but normal counts in peripheral blood. EAE induction in RhoAfl/flLckCre+ mice results in significantly reduced disease incidence and severity, which coincides with a reduced CNS T-cell infiltration. Besides presenting reduced migratory capacity, both naïve and autoreactive effector T-cells from RhoAfl/flLckCre+ mice show decreased viability, proliferative capacity, and an activation profile associated with reduced production of Th1 pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our study demonstrates that RhoA is a central regulator of several archetypical T-cell responses, and furthermore points toward RhoA as a new potential therapeutic target in diseases such as MS, where T-cell activity plays a central role

PhDay Educación 2020. VI Jornadas de Investigación. Libro de Actas

Todas las contribuciones presentadas en este Libro de Actas forman parte de la evaluación de seguimiento de los doctorandos de segundo año a tiempo completo y tercer año a tiempo parcial del Programa de Doctorado en Educación de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Cada trabajo ha sido revisado formalmente por el comité organizador y valorado por los directores y tutores de tesis. Asimismo, cada doctorando ha recibido mejoras por otros estudiantes del programa que han podido incluir antes de la finalización del presente documento

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

HRM 4 Innovation: from determinants to performance. Essays from the Spanish context

Human resource (HR) practices are possible contributors to a firm’s success. There is a pressing need for empirical research that addresses how HR practices contribute to a company’s ability to be creative and innovative. Thus, the aim of this thesis focuses on mapping the adoption of training and development practices for creativity and innovation (TD4CI) in Spanish manufacturing firms. It also analyses the most influential determinants of implementin these HR practices. Furthermore, it sudies the impact that TD$CI have on a company’s Innovative and financial performance. Last, the elements which make up high-performnce work systems are studied, considerin the best combinations for better firm performance. The empirical evidence is based on the 2012 and 2015 rounds of the Spanish subsample of the European Manufacturing Survey. The value of this thesis lies in its offering recent and relevant figures and data regarding the implementation of TD4CI and their relation with performance.Les pràctiques de recursos humans (RRHH) són possibles contribuïdors a l'èxit d'una empresa. En aquest sentit, hi ha una necessitat de seguir fent recerca empírica per tal de convertir les contribucions de les pràctiques de RRHH en una oportunitat per les empreses de ser més creatives i innovadores. Aquesta tesi proposa un estudi basat en la implementació de les pràctiques de RRHH de formació i desenvolupament d’habilitats per la creativitat i la innovació (TD4CI); també s’analitzen els factors que més influeixen en la decisió sobre si s’imolementen aquestes prpàctiques o no. A més, s’estudia l’impacte que TD$CI tenen sobre innovació i finançament. Finalment, s’estudien els elements que formen els anomenats “sistemes de treball d’alt rendiment” i quina és la combinació que més beneficis aporta a l’empresa. S’utilitza una metodologia empírica basada en l’enquesta European Manufacturing Survey usant una sub-mostra enfocada a l’Estat espanyol amb dades recaptades els anys 2012 i 2015. El valor es basa en oferir dades recents i rellevants sobre aquestes pràctiques

HRM 4 Innovation: from determinants to performance. Essays from the Spanish context

Human resource (HR) practices are possible contributors to a firm’s success. There is a pressing need for empirical research that addresses how HR practices contribute to a company’s ability to be creative and innovative. Thus, the aim of this thesis focuses on mapping the adoption of training and development practices for creativity and innovation (TD4CI) in Spanish manufacturing firms. It also analyses the most influential determinants of implementin these HR practices. Furthermore, it sudies the impact that TD$CI have on a company’s Innovative and financial performance. Last, the elements which make up high-performnce work systems are studied, considerin the best combinations for better firm performance. The empirical evidence is based on the 2012 and 2015 rounds of the Spanish subsample of the European Manufacturing Survey. The value of this thesis lies in its offering recent and relevant figures and data regarding the implementation of TD4CI and their relation with performance.Les pràctiques de recursos humans (RRHH) són possibles contribuïdors a l'èxit d'una empresa. En aquest sentit, hi ha una necessitat de seguir fent recerca empírica per tal de convertir les contribucions de les pràctiques de RRHH en una oportunitat per les empreses de ser més creatives i innovadores. Aquesta tesi proposa un estudi basat en la implementació de les pràctiques de RRHH de formació i desenvolupament d’habilitats per la creativitat i la innovació (TD4CI); també s’analitzen els factors que més influeixen en la decisió sobre si s’imolementen aquestes prpàctiques o no. A més, s’estudia l’impacte que TD$CI tenen sobre innovació i finançament. Finalment, s’estudien els elements que formen els anomenats “sistemes de treball d’alt rendiment” i quina és la combinació que més beneficis aporta a l’empresa. S’utilitza una metodologia empírica basada en l’enquesta European Manufacturing Survey usant una sub-mostra enfocada a l’Estat espanyol amb dades recaptades els anys 2012 i 2015. El valor es basa en oferir dades recents i rellevants sobre aquestes pràctiques